Can filling machine



Jun 1948- w. DE B CK 2,444,155

I CAN FIPLING PJACHINE Filed Nov. 27, 1944 SSheeis-Sheet 1 I umfiix 1 70 INVENTCR ATTORNEYS June 29, 1948. w. D E BACK 2,444,155

' CAN FILLING MACHINE Filed Nov. 27', 1944 I 5 Sheets-Sheet z INVENTOR I ATTOFZNEYS June 29, 19481 j w. DE BAcK 2,444,155

CAN FILLING MACHINE Filed NOV. 27, 19 44 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 6 fi i. my l #0 3 146 169 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS June 29', 1948. r I W.'DEI BACK 2,444,155

cm FILLING MACHINE Filed Nov. 27, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 e v i INVENTOR v ATTORNEYS June 29, 1948. DE BACK 2,444,155

CAN FILLING MACHINE Filed Nov. 27, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 r0 4 I I 4 10.9 110 Z6 1 my 11/ f v 33; I'll" Z39 (I) J I INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented June 29, 1948 UNI E55 PATENT ()FFl C-E 2;44=l,155

CANTFILLING MACHINE William de BachNiagara Falls, N. Y, assignor to flhisholmltyder :Company, Incorporated, Nia gara l falls, N. Y, a corporation ofNew York v Application November 27, 1944, Serial N0. 565,197

ZG-Glaims. (Cl. 22.6-10 0) Iihis invention relates to a can zflllingtmachme Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top planview on an enand nore particularly to a high speed can filling larged scale. machine which fills a succession of teams with Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal easured amou ts of fruit or vegetables and .a section through the liquid :reservoirand solid maliquld and discharges the filled cans for further 5 terialhopper and showingthe face plate removed.

processing. Fig. v5 is a fragmentary vertical transversesec- 0 of t e rinc pal objects of the invention is tion taken on:line.5-.5, F i

to provide such a can filler Whichpperatesat high Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are fragmentary vertical 1ongispeed, rapidlyreceiving empty cans and dischargtudinal sections taken on the correspondingly ing them a filled condition for furtherprocess- :numbered lines on Fig. 5..

ing. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view, similar to Fig. 6

Another object of the invention is to provide and showing amodified form of the invention.

such apparatus which will accurately fill each can Fig. 10 is, a fragmentary sectional view taken with the exact amount of solid and liquid content on line Ill-lflFi-g. 9. for which the machine is set, the measured The operating parts of the can filling machine ou ts o liqi and solids being separately fed are mounted on a standard which comprises a to each can for this purpose, base section l5, which can contain an electric Another aim isto provide such a can filling motor (not shown) to drive the machine, and a machine whichis. reliable in operation and is not top section 15 which is formed to support the dversely affected out of round or other othervarious parts of the machine as hereinafter dewise slightly defective cans being supplied to the scribed. machine. Suitably journaled in this top section N3 of the Another purpose is to provide such a machine standard is a main drive shaft l8'which carries a inwhich the solids and liquids, can be fed to the bevel gear [9 keyed thereto, a drive sprocket '29 machine either in batche oras a continuousbeing fast to the hub of this bevel gear L). This eam, t e fiby tq fc rder the machine applicable drive sprocketZll can be connected by a chain or tofthe particular conditions encountered in the in any other suitable manner (not shown) with canneryin which the machinesis installed the power source within the base P5 of the ma- Another object is to providesucha machine in chine. The end of the main drive shaft I8 also Whieh the absence of a can in anyone of the is shown as projecting outwardly from the rear pocketsv which receive the. succession of, cans is side of the top section I6 of the standard; this mme te y et ct d and the machineadiusted permitting a hand wheel 2| to be attached theretolprevent the'e pty-pocketfrom being fillediwith to as shownin- Fig. 2 or permitting the operating t q d 0 Solid materialpower to be taken from an external source.

Anot bject is. to. pr d Such a machine A gear 23 is fast to the forward endof the main which can readily e g lustedto proyidetheexe drive shaft is, this gear meshing with a Vertical actlfillof liquid. and solid. contents of, each canas bull gear ring 24. Thisbull gear ring 24 is fast desired. to a disk 25 which projects radially outward from Another Object, E to provide cha machine-in the forward face of the bullring gear and is sowhich l'eakageof theliquids or. solids. infilllng the id cured at its periphery to the rear flange of a drum can is. -avoided, 26 which canbe provided with holes inits periphther object is to providetsuch a can filling ery, as shown in -Fig. 5,-to permit access to the machine in which the contents in the-filledl-can interior thereof. This drum 2-6 is integral with can hel-tamped therehy-tosecure a solid pack a canfilling wheelindicatedgenerally at 28. This otherttiec are to;provide sucha can rfilling can filling wheel has a cylindrical rim 29 which machine which is simple inconstruotion, consid-t is integral with the drum 26 and has an integral erin "thejunction which it, performsandwhichr rear vertical wall 30' which isintegral witha hub willstandsupconditions of severe and con- 3|. This hub issupported-by a pair of'anti fricstajntusewithouttgetting outpf order ol'requlring tion bearings 32 on the projecting end of a starepa rs, J i ttionary horizontal rod 33, this rod being secured In theaccompanying drawings: to the top section 16 of the standard inany suit- Fig. '1 is a side elevation of azcan filling ma -i. able way. chine .ernbodyingthe present.invention. v The cans, 35 to be filled are brought with their Ei'g z olif ied top plan View thereof zono'a-i months or open ends intoengagement'with the qg g 35531131,, periphery of the rim-290i the can filling Wheel 28 and this rim is preferably faced with a cylindrical sleeve or tire 36. At spaced intervals this facing sleeve or tire 36 of the can filling wheel is provided with a circular opening leading to a pocket 38 provided in the rim 29 of the can filling wheel, each of these pockets 38 receiving the end flange 39 at the outer end of a radial sleeve or cylinder '48, the body of each of these cylinders extending through a circular opening 41 in the bottom of each pocket 38 as best shown in Fig. 6. The sleeves or cylinders 46 are therefore radially supported at their outer ends on the rim 29 of the can filling wheel through which they extend, these sleeves or cylinders 49 being regularly spaced around the can filling wheel. The purpose of these radial sleeves or cylinders 40 is to receive measured charges of the liquid and solids which are discharged against a, can 35 held with its mouth or open end against the outer end thereof. To prevent leakage while the cans 35 are being so filled, the end flange 39 of each sleeve or cylinder 48 is provided with a ring or gasket 43 of rubber or other soft, resilient, plastic material which surrounds the bore of the sleeve or cylinder and is adapted to receive the open end of the can, as hereinafter described, and provide a leaktight seal between each can and the can filling wheel.

Within each of these radial sleeves or cylinders 46 is arranged a compound piston or pair of pistons, one drawing a measured charge of liquid into the cylinder and the other drawing a charge of solids into the cylinder. The piston 45 for the solids comprises an end head 46 and an integral skirt 48, this skirt sliding in the bore of the corresponding cylinder 40 and being provided with one or more piston rings to prevent leakage. The inner end of each skirt 48 is closed by an end head 49, this end head having an axial tubular stem 50 which extends radially toward the axis of the can filling wheel, the bore through this tubular stem 56 leading to the chamber formed between the heads 46 and 49 of the piston. Within this chamber is mounted the plunger or piston 53 for the liquid, each piston 53 sliding in the bore of the corresponding'skirt 48 and having one or more piston rings to prevent leakage. This plunger or piston 53 for the liquid is provided with a stem 54 which slides in the bore 5| of the tubular stem 50 of the piston 45 for the solids.

The solids or liquids are drawn into the sleeves or cylinders through the outer ends thereof and to permit the plunger 53 to act on the liquids, the outer head 46 of each piston 45 for the solids is provided with one or more openings 55, these openings permitting the liquid to enter the chambers 56 in an amount dependent upon the degree of retraction of the lungers 53. Also in each of these chambers 56 is arranged a helical compression spring 58, these helical compression springs being shown as each surrounding a stem 59 fast to the bottom of the piston head 46 and sliding in a bore provided in the stem 54 of the corre sponding plunger 53, the springs 58 being seated in these bores, as shown at the bottom of Fi 5. These helical compression springs 58 tend to hold the plungers 53 in their fully retracted position and hence tend to hold the chambers 55. fully distended.

The can filling wheel 28 rotates clockwise as viewed in the drawings and to fill each sleeve or cylinder 4|] with a measured amountof liquid, the periphery of the can filling wheel is first brought into aliquid reservoir 60. This liquid 4 reservoir 60 is shown as formed integrally with. the top portion l6 of the machine standard and as having an open side facing the periphery of the can filling wheel 28, the rim 62 of the reservoir around this open side engaging the periphery of the can filling wheel so as to prevent leakage of the liquid between the reservoir and can filling wheel, this reservoir being located on the rising side of the can filling wheel. The reservoir 68 can be maintained full of the liquid, such as brine or syrup, in any suitable manner.

After leaving the liquid reservoir .60 the periphery of the can filling wheel passes under the open. bottom of a solid material hopper 65. The lower part 66 of this hopper is preferably made integral with the top section l6 of the machine standard and around its open lower end is provided with a rim. 68 which engages the periphery of the can filling wheel 28 so as to prevent leakage of the solids between the hopper and the can filling wheel. The upper part 69 of the hopper is preferably removably attached to the bottom part 66 so as to facilitate the cleaning thereof and this upper part is open to permit the solid materials tobe poured as a stream or in batches into 4 the hopper.

generally tangential to the can filling wheel 28 and with its convolutions closely approaching the periphery thereof. The upper end of this wire spiral Ill is preferably journaled in a bearing H in the upper wall of the lower part 66 of the hopper, as best shown in Fig. 4 and the lower end of this wire spiral 10 projects through a bearing 12 in the lower wall of the lower part 66 of To the lower end of the wire spiral 10 which projects outwardly from the hopper is l the hopper.

secured a bevel pinion 13 which meshes with a bevel pinion 14 fast to a horizontal shaft 15 which is suitably journaled on the exterior of the lower This shaft extends foreand-aft and at its rear end is fast to a gear 16. As best shown in Fig. 2, this gear 16 meshes with:

part 66 of the hopper.

an idler gear 18 which is suitably journaled on: the rear wal1 of the hopper and which meshes: with the bull gear ring 24 through a suitable hole provided in the top portion [6 of the machine: standard.

Means are provided for reciprocating each pis ton 45 for the solid materials in proper sequence to draw in a charge from the hopper 65 and to expel this charge into a can positioned on the periphery of the can filling wheel 28. For this purpose the inner end of the stem 58 of each piston 45 is fast to the end of an arm 80 which, as best shown in Figs. 5 and 6 projects forwardly from an elongated shoe 8| the longitudinal sides of which are slidingly mounted in radial slots 82 provided in the rear wall 30 of the can filling wheel 28. Each of these shoes 8| carries a roller 83 on its rear side, these rollers riding on a cam track 84 provided on the front face of a stationary cam disk 85. The hub of this cam disk is arranged to surround the hub 3| of the can filling wheel 28 and is fixed to the adjacent part of the top section I6 of the machine frame.

The roller 830i each shoe 8| is held in engage- I ment with the radially outwardly facing side of 5 pression springs" 88 which are interposed between the him 29 of thecan filling wheel 23 i and the arm 89 of each shoe 8l-so that these springs also serve to yieldingly hold each piston' lifor the solid materials in its retracted position in the bore of the corresponding cylinder or'sleeve' 40'. Each series of these helical compression springs 88 surround a rod 99 which is fast to the'rim 29 of the can filling wheel 28, as shown in Fig. 5, and projects radially inward through a hole provided in the arm 89 of the corresponding shoe 8i. Small sleeves 99 are interposed between the ends of the springs 98 of each series. The purpose of providing these helical compression springs 88 in series with the small sleeves 99 interposed therebetween is to permit the remain-derof the springs tofunction Home of the springs should-break. Thus if a single spring were provided andwere to break, the broken ends would Wind upon each other and the spring would be rendered inoperative. By sectionalizing the springs as shown such breaking and windingup of one spring would not affect the other two springs which would continue to function inretracting its piston 45 and in keeping' its roller 99 in engagement with the cam track 84.

Aside elevation ofthecam plate 85 and its camtrack 841s shown in Fig. '7. From thisview it will be seen that the cam track has a radially salient part 84a and a radial receding part 84b. When a roller 89 is traveling along salient part .840, its piston 55 is held in its fully projected position in the outer part of its sleeve or cylinder 49, against the resistance of its springs 98, as illustrated at the bottom of Figs. 5 and 6. This position is maintained while the filled can is being discharged from the bottom of the can wheel and while the piston is traversing the liquid reservoir 60. At about the nine oclock position of the piston 45 it enters the solidmaterials hopper 65 and its roller 83 also encounters the receding part of the cam track. As the roller moves radially inward-under the influence of the springs 88 in following this receding portion of the cam track 84, its piston 45 likewise moves inwardly thereby drawing a charge of the solid materials from the hopper 65 into its sleeve or cylinder 49. At about the twelve o'clock position a can is applied, upside down, over the mouth of the sleeve or cylinder 49 and at this time the piston t5 is fully retracted, as illustrated at the top of Figs. 5 and 6. Thereafter the roller 93 encounters a rising part of the cam track 84 and is forced outwardly, together with its piston 65, against the resistance of its springs 88. This forces the charge of solid materials from the cylinder or sleeve 49 into the can, the transfer being complete before thesix oclock position when the can is released.

' It will be seen that the amount of the charge of the solid materials in. each sleeve or cylinder .49, and hence in each can, can be adjusted by varying the shape of the cam track 84, that is by varying the degree of radial projection of this cam track opposite the opening at the bottom of the hopper 95 for the solid materials. To this end that portion of the cam track 84 along the hopper 65 is in the form of an arcuate arm 92 which is pivoted to the cam disk or plate 85 at 93 and has a rounding nose 94 which provides a smooth transfer of the rollers 83 fromthe stationarycam track section 84a to this movable section 92 of the cam track in all positions of adjustment ofthe latter.

This movable section 92 0f the cam track can be: moved from the full to the dotted line position sh'ownin Fig. 7 or to any intermediate position.

.In the full linepositiom the pistons 45 are drawn radiallyn-inward their maximum extent "while traversing the hopper 65 forlthe solid materials and hence the maximum charge of solid materials will be drawn into the sleeves or cylinders 49. In the dotted line' position shown in Fig. 2, of the movable section-92 of the camtrack, the pistons 45 are. drawn inwardly their minimum extent while traversing the hopper 65 for the solid materialsand hence the'minimum charge of :solid materials will be drawn into the sleeves or cylinders 49. In ordertolprovide a smooth passage of the rollers 83 from the outer end of the movable section 92 of the cam track to thestationary part 89b thereof in all adjusted positions of the movable cam track section 92, atail piece track section- 95 is pivoted on; the outer end of the movable section 92 and hasits outer end arranged to slide along the radially outward face of the stationary part 89b of this cam track.

vIn order to adjust the movable section 92 of the caintrack to anylpositionintermediate the full and dotted line positions in Fig. .2 to so vary the fill of solid materials in each can, a shaft 96 ispivoted on the cam disk or. plate 95 to project rearwardly therefrom. On this adjusting shaft is fixed a levenfifl, this lever being mounted in rear of the camdisk or plate and having a pin 99 at its outer end which projects throughan arcuate slotlflllin the cam disk or plate 85, this arcuate slot being concentric with adjusting shaft- 955. Thepin- 99 engages a slot Hit in the movable section 92 of the cam track. Any manual means (not shown) can be employed to move the? adjusting shaft fi to different positions and it will be. seen that in any position of this adjustingshaft its arn193 and pin 99 .will hold the movablesection' 92 of the cam track in a position to effecta corresponding fill of each can.

In a. similar .manner. any desired charge of liquid 7 can be provided in each can. For this purpose the tubular stem 59 of each piston #35 is longitudinallyslotted on its front andrear sides, asindicated at-lilii inFigs. 5 and 6, and in these slots of-each piston stem is arranged a pin Hi9 which extends through the stem 56 of the corresponding plunger 53 and extends outwardly from the slots E95. To one end of each of these pins We is secured the arm I98 of an. elongated shoe M9, the sides of thisshoe being guided by the longitudinal edges of radial slots I Hi provided in a. cam disk or plate H I. This cam disk or plate H E has, a rim I I2 which is secured to the rim 29 of the cam filling wheel-28 and is provided at its center. with .a hole. H3 around the horizontal supporting rod 33 on which the can wheel 2i; is journaled. This cam disk or plate H l carries a camtrack'llll which projects axially inward from its inner face and is engaged on its radially outward side by rollers H6 carried by the several shoes 199. The camtrack 5a is provided with axially salientand receding portions H5 and l [5b and as the. rollers 1 l9 traverse the cam track the shoes I99 and plungers 93 are reciprocated to draw the. desired charge of liquid into the chamber 59 inside each piston 45. and to expel this charge into the can. .Each. plunger 93 is yieldingly held in its radial inward position by its helical compression spring 98, these springs thereby yieldingly holding the rollers H6 against the radially outward faces of the cam track H5 and causing thesev rollers to follow this cam track.

As with thecam track for .thelsolid materials, itwill b-eseenthat theamount of-the :charge of liquid drawngintoteachpiston 45bit its plunger 55, and later expelled into each can, can be adjusted by varying the shape of the cam track I I5, that is, by varying the degree of radial projection of this cam track opposite the opening of the reservoir 55, for the liquid. To this end, as best shown in Fig. 8, that portion of the cam track I I along the reservoir 50 is offset radially inward, as indicated at H50 and terminates adjacent an adjusting shaft I I8 which is'journaled in the cam disk or plate II I and can be manually set to any desired adjusted position by any suitable manual means (not shown). This adjusting shaft IIB carries a movable section III! of the cam track I I5, in the form of an arm onto which the rollers H5 ride smoothly from the stationary section II5c onto thernovable section H9 of the cam track in all positions of adjustment of this movable section of the cam track.

Upon manual adjustment of the adjusting shaft H8, this movable section II9 of the cam track I I5 can be moved from the full to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 8, or any intermediate position. In the full line position the plungers 53 are permitted to remain drawn inwardly their maximum extent, this being the position determined by the innermost part of the cam track section 50 and hence the maximum charge of liquid is retained in the pistons 45. In the dotted line position, shown in Fig. 8, of the movable section H9 of the cam track, the plungers 53 are moved outwardly while traversing the liquid reservoir 55 and hence a part of the charge of liquid previously drawn into the pistons 45 is expelled back into the reservoir 50. The charge of liquid retained in the pistons 45 is thereby reduced and hence less liquid is transferred to the cans. In order to provide a smooth passage of the rollers H5 from the outer end of the movable section H5 of the cam track to the stationary part II5b thereof, in all adjusted positions of the movable cam track section II9a, a tail piece track section 525 is pivoted on theouter end of the movable track section H5 and has its outer end arranged to slide along the radially outward face of the stationary part II5b of the cam track. This sliding engagement is insured by a tension spring I2! interposed between the hub of the movable cam track section H9 and an intermediate part of the tail piece I25.

The empty cans 35 to be filled are placed open end down on a receiving table or shelf I25 which can be secured to project from the top section I5 of the machine frame. If desired the cans on thistable can be housed by a casing I25 as shown in Fig. 1 and the passing cans sterilized by upwardly directed jets of steam or water from a spray pipe I28. The water and condensate are caught in a pan I29 and wasted through a drain I30.

A wall I32 rises from the rear side of the feeding table I25 and on the front face of this wall is secured, by stud bolts I33 or in any other suitable manner, a horizontal metal strip I34 along which the cans are rolled in single file. In so rolling along this strip I34 the out-of-round cans are trued up and to adjust the forward projection I of the strip I34 it is backed at spaced intervals by adjusting screws I35 carried by the wall I32.

The cans are rolled in single file along this horizontal strip I34 by the rear stretches of a pair of endless conveyer belts I35 which pass around vertical drive pulleys I39 at the inner end of the table I25 and around vertical idler pulleys I45 at the outer end of the table. The drive pulleys I39 are fast to a vertical drive shaft I II which is journaled in the top section I6 of the machine frame in any suitable manner and which carries a pinion I42 at its lower end.

This pinion I42 meshes with a large horizontal gear I l-5 which, as best shown in Fig. 5, is journaled on .a vertical stub shaft I46 which is in turn mounted on a bracket I48 carried by the top section I5 of the machine frame. Through an idler I41 this large gear I45 is turned by a pinion I49, this pinion I49 being fast to a vertical shaft I50 which is journaled in the top section I6 of the machine frame in any suitable manner. A bevel gear I5I is fast to the lower end of this vertical shaft I50 and meshes with the bevel pinion I9, this last bevel pinion being fast to the main drive sprocket 25 as previously described.

On the hub of the large horizontal gear I45 is secured a can feed wheel I55. As best shown in Fig. 3, the periphery of this can feed wheel is formed to provide a series of pockets I55 formed by radially extending teeth or fingers I58. The advance side I59 of each of these teeth or fingers is shaped to conform to the curvature of the can and the trailing side I55 of each of these teeth or fingers inclines or slopes gradually to the base of the next succeeding finger I58 thereby to provide a pocket which freely receives the foremost can of the file being fed to the can wheel I55 and a pocket which securely holds the can fed thereto.

The can wheel I55 rotates counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 3 and the can received by each pocket I55 from the file of cans fed by the endless belts I35 is first moved toward a roller I63 which is mounted to rotate about a vertical axis on the end of an arm I54. This arm is mounted to oscillate at its center about a pivot I55 carried by the top section I5 of the machine frame and a spring I66 moves the arm I54 to urge the roller inwardly or toward the cans being received in the pockets I55 of the can Wheel I55. The purpose of this roller is to insure the proper placement of thecans 35 in the pockets I56 of the can wheel. Thus if one of the cans should be caught by the end of a finger or tooth I58 of the can wheel without having fully entered the pocket I55 it will engage and push outwardly on the roller I63. This roller thereupon exerts an inward pressure on the misplaced can which forces it into the bottom of the pocket I56 and in proper position to enter a circular can way I58 provided by a semi-circular track or guard I59 which surrounds the can wheel I55 from a point just beyond the placing roller I63 to the can transfer station near the top of the can filling wheel 28. This track or guard I59 serves to retain the cans 35 in the pockets I55 of the [can wheel I55 even when this can wheel is rotating at a high rate of speed.

The forward parts of the can wheel I55 and the circular rail I69 extend over the top of the can filling wheel 28 and lead the succession of cans to the periphery thereof. The rotation of the can wheel I55 and can filling wheel 25 are synchronized so that each can is delivered over a corresponding sleeve or cylinder 40 with its mouth in engagement with the rubber washer or gasket 43 at the mouth of each sleeve or cylinder. At the top or crest of the can filling wheel the cans are successively transferred from the can wheel I55 to the can filling wheel28 and for this purpose the upper end III of a rail IIIl, as best shown in Fig. 3, extends horizontally over the can wheel I55 tangentially thereto and behind the cans being brought to the transfer station at the crest of the can filling wheel 28. This upper end III of the rail III] is arranged opposite the leaving endof the semi-circular rail" "I 69 and is preferably curved so as to engage" each can as it is conveyed toward this transferstation and move it away from the axispf'the can wheel I55,out of its pocket I56 and onto the periphery of the can filling wheel '28- in line with a'oorrespondirig sleeve or cylinder 40 thereon.-

The rail I-l} the upper end of 'which'so serves to transfer-the cans fromthe can wheel I55 -to the can filling wheel '28, continues around the periphery of the can fillingwheel 28 and terminates, below the canwheel 28, in a horizontal terminal portion I12: The portion of the rail I'm which curves around the can wheel-28 is held in spaced relation thereto by L-shaped *br'ackets I'M which are mounted on the top'section' -I6 of the machine frame and the lower horizontal end In of this rail is secured directly'tothetop section lfiof themachine frame. This railengages the rear-sides of the successionofjcans -35 b'eing conveyed around on the periphery ofithe can' wheel and serves to prevent rearwarddisplacement' or the cans so oonveyed.

In orderto hold-the -can's in engagement with the rubber: gaskets '43" as they travel around with the can filling-wheel, another semi-circular rail I is carried by the forwardly projecting ends of the L-shaped brackets I M, The upper end of this semi oinoularrail I lfi is raised; as indicated in Fig. ii, to receive each :can thereunderat the transfer station and in the continued movement of the-cans along-this rail I I5 on the can filling wheel the rail comes into 'engagem'ent with the closed ends of. the cans and holds eaoh -can in firm engagement with the rubber-' gaskets 43 Whichsnrroundeach sleeve or cylihder' lll'of the can filling wheel; This engagement is maintained' until i the cans "reach the bottom of the can filling wheel 23;

The forwarddisplacement of the cans 35 trav'- eling around on theperipheryof the can filling wheel'is prevented by a series oi O-shaped-individual holders I18 each of which eng'agesra can at the transfenstation at'the topoi the carrfilling wheel 28 and releases this-can at the bottom ofthis *cah filling; wheel. Each ofvtheseholders oomprisesa C-shaped shoe I79 adapted to engage thebilge of thecan at-its 28 so thatthemovement of I the arms I88 brings the C-shaped shoes into engagement with-"the forward side of a can positioned over the corresponding sleeve or cylinder' lll of the can filling wheel, and each pin I8I -"is carried by'a*pairof ears' 'l82 projecting forwardly from the rim I I2' of the cam disk or plat'e I I I which is secured to therim zfi bf the can filling wheel was previouslydescribed."

To move'ea'ch -C'sha'ped shoe I'I-9'1'nto and out of en'gagement with each 'can positioned on the cannfilling wheel Zllj 'a lever- I85-projects from the hub of each arm 130' toward the axis of rotation offlthe can filling Wheel 28. I At-its free end-each of "these levers I85 is bifiirc'ated and carries*a pivot pin lllfiwhich connects withthe enlarged head I fid 'provided at theforward end of a rod I891 Tlie'serods I89 extend rearwardly between the several sleeves or cylinders 48 of the can filling" wheelie Y5 and forward sideto hold the corresponding" can against the railllll and:

These pivot pins are arranged tangential to the oanfilling wheel suitable mannerfor axial movement relative to the can filling wheel. A helical compression spring-I90 surrounds'each rod W9 and is inter? posed .between its head" I88 and the rear wall 39 of the can fillingwlie'el These springs I90 therefore urge the d-shaped Clamping shoes I19 into engagement with thecanson the can filling wheel.

The rear end of each rod I 8-9 connects with' a shoe ISTwhielfcarries a roller-I93; these-rollers being arranged to 'rotateabout' axes'arranged radially of "the can'- filling wheel 281" Ea'olh of these rollers E93 engages'a calntrackflfif'on the periphery of the caindisk' or plate "85; this cam track having 'arearwardly projecting salient portion along theascending' side of the "can filling wheel 28*and receding portion along" the descending side'ofthe can fillingwheel: It will thereforebe seen-thatfat thetop'of the can filling Wheel-{at thecantra'nsfer station, the springs'i'lflll move each roller I93 'ancl 'shoe" IQZ forwardly thereby to move the rod I'8Q' forwardly and swing its lever I and arm IBB tobring the'corre= sponding C-shaped shoe I19 into" engagement with a canonthe peripheryof the"canfilliiig wheel 28." This engagement of the "C shaped' shoes I'I-9 with the cans continues while'the same are traveling along "thedescending side" of the ment with the receding part of the cam" track 194". At the b0ttom"0fthecari fillingwheel 'Zil these rollers I 93 arrive at-the salient part of theeam track I84" and hencethecam' trackdraws each rod I89" and itsarm-I8Wtoswingrits c 'sh'ape'd shoe I19 out of engagementwith' the can. The salient part of thecam track continues ulithe rising side of 'thecanfillingwheelidand hence holds the C-sha'ped sho'esin a forwardlyiprojected inoperative position While traversing. the. rising side of the can filling wheel asbest shown in Fig. 1.

The-lower end of thetrack l'l5 terminatesvad-i jacent the upperstr-etch been endless conveyer I88. i Since the G-shaped holders l'lflare withi-i drawn from the-cans at this point the filled cans are released and permitted to travel along on the endless conveyer I93 forifurther processingw In order to enclose the=working eparts-of-i the holders ITIBat the rim of-thecan fillingwheelia;

a front cover plate or" ring l QS-earr be arranged atthe front-of the machine: This covering-ring canbe-securedto rotate with the canfilling-wheel or-it oan be -secur-ed-to the stationary .fcain disk? or plate I I I-by any suitablemeans (not: shown) A no can no :filr'control' is 'indorporated inlthe= can filler so th'at iffor anyf'ireasomone of the in pockets I55 fails" to receive a can; the cori e'spond--- ingpiston andplunger tmand 53 for the solid material" and liqiiid; respeotively; i are renolered i'n operative and will diot ree'eiv or-expel a charge into the space tl'iei-t btlierwise would' be occupiedbya can. T o tli'i's end; "as 'shown in Fig.-3,'" an arin -zlw is pivoted to thetop ofthetopsection" lfi'of'th'e'm'achine frame near tli'ereceiving sta tion for the oan i-whe'el I55 and has its free -end projecting herizontally in the direction of move meiit" of 'thecansandunder the semi-circular ran- I58 and into the patli' of thecansbeing conveyed by the can wheel. The succession'of-passingoans holds this arni outgthearrn being" urged inwardly by "a spring loaded switch 1%? In this position ofarin Me t-hisswitehisopenfi pocket passes the arm 250 it is urged inwardly to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 3. In this position the switch 232 is closed. A solenoid 265 (Fig. 8) is in circuit with this switch 209 and when the switch is so energized this solenoid draws its armature 205 outwardly or away from the axis of rotation of the can filling wheel 28. This solenoid is arranged near the bottom of the cam plate III for the liquid plungers 53 and the inner end of its armature or core is connected to the free end of a horizontal lever 208 which is fulcrumed on this cam plate III at 259. To the fulcrumed hub of this lever 203 is secured a switch section 2 I of the cam track H5, the free end of this switch section being movable into engagement, when the solenoid 29-5 is so energized, with the cam track H at the juncture of the sections H.5a and H50 thereof so that the roller H5 of the corresponding liquid filling plunger 53 will ride on this switch section 2H3 instead of following the part H50 of the cam track. At the fulcrumed end of the switch section 2lI'I the switch roller H5 rides onto a secondary track 2I3 which is concentric with the axis of rotation of the can wheel 28 and also concentric with the salient part II5a of the cam track H5. 1

The major part 2M of this secondary or nonfill cam track 213 is integral with the cam plate or disk III but opposite the movable section H9 of the main track a pivoted section 2I5 is shown as inserted therein. It was found with the minimum fill position of the movable section H9 of the main cam track H5, shown by dotted lines in Fig. 8, that the rollers I It would not clear the secondary or non-fill track 2M. To retain the compactness of the machine and still avoid this interference, the movable section M5 was inserted in the secondary cam track at this point, the rollers H6 passing the summit of the outwardly adjusted main track section merely moving the movable track section 2 I 5 out of the way as illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 8. The return of the rollers H6 from the section '2 I4 of the secondary cam track to the salient part I I5a of th; primary cam track is effected by a tail piece 2| The arm 200 moves inwardly because of an empty pocket I56, this pocket, in the machine shown, being the fifth can space from the transfer station. Therefore it is necessary to render inoperative the piston 45 and plunger 53 of the fifth cylinder 40 from the transfer station, this being that one which has just entered therising side of the can filling wheel 28 as viewed in Fig. 6. The closing of the circuit through the switch 202 and solenoid 205 energizes the solenoid to move the switch track section 2H), Fig. 8, to enge the place of juncture of the main track sections H501 and H50 just before theroller II'6 of this fifth plunger 53 arrives at this Point. Consequently this roller is compelled to ride around the concentric secondary cam track 2 I 3 and back to the salient part H5a of the main cam track without inward movement. Since the roller H5 cannot move inwardly its plunger 53 likewise cannot move inwardly to draw a charge of liquid from the reservoir 60 into its sleeve or cylinder 40. Upon reference to the bottom of Fig. 5, it will also be seen that when the liquid plunger 53 cannot move inwardly the main piston 45 likewise cannot move inwardly and draw a charge of solid materials into the sleeve or cylinder II In consequence neither the piston 45 for the solid materials nor the plunger 53 for the liquid is withdrawn to draw a charge'of either into the fifth sleeve or cylinder 40 or to expel a charge into the canless space when this space comes into line with the can filling wheel 23.

Means are also provided for tamping the charge in each can to secure compactness in the fill, such means being rendered operative or inoperative at will. For this purpose, as shown in Figs. 5 and 7 a disk 220 is fast to a manually controlled adjusting shaft 22I which in turn is journaled on the cam disk or plate with its periphery in a space 222 left in the salient part 84a of the cam track 84' and at the bottom of the cam disk 85. This disk has a receding face 223 which forms a continuation of the radially outward face of the cam ing the no tamp position of this disk. When this disk 223 is turned counterclockwise 45, the salient part 224 is caused to project radially outward from the eifective face at the cam track, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 7, this being the tamp position of this disk. In the no tamp position of the disk 220 its face 223 merely provides a continuation of the cam track 84 and consequently the disk 22!] has no efiect upon the operation of the machine. When however the salient part 225 of this disk is caused to project outwardly from the eifective surface of the cam track 84, the rollers 83 are caused to ride over the inverted hump provided by the disk 22B and hence these rollers, and the pistons 45 connected therewith, are given a downward push, thus projecting the pistons I5 into the cans at the bottom of the can filling wheel and serving to compactthe contents therein.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 9 and 10 V-shaped adjusting members are provided on the cam disk or plates to take up wear on the shoes sliding in the radial slots therein. In this view is illustrated a fragmentary front elevation of the disk III fitted to the front face of the can filling wheel 28 and having the slots I I [I for guiding the shoes I09 which are connected to reciprocate with the plungers 53 as previously described. Wear between these shoes and slots is shown as taken up by a V-shaped wear plate 225 secured to one face of the disk III by screws 226. These screws extend through slots 228 in each Wear plate which extend radially so that the V- shaped wear plates can be adjusted radially. The opposite edges of each wear plate engage the opposite longitudinal sides of a pair of the shoes I!!!) and it will therefore be seen that the radial inward adjustment of the wear plates 225 serves to take up wear between the edges of these wear plates and theshoes I09.

Each-tooth I58 of the can wheel picks up the foremost can of the file advanced by the endless bolts ['35, the can wheel rotating counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 3, and if a can is not properly placed in any pocket I56 between these teeth, the spring loaded roller I53 presses it into the pocket. The cans are conveyed by the can wheel around the semi-circular rail I65 to the transfer station 157 line position shown in Fig. '7 it will be seen that the-retraction of each piston 45 eifected by the movable section 52 of the cam track is maintained so that a relatively large quantity of solid material is drawn into each sleeve or cylinder 40. Upon however moving the adjusting shaft 95 and cam track section 82 to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 7 it willbe seen that each piston 45 is withdrawn to a much smaller degree on traversing the solid materials hopper 95. In consequence a smaller amount of solid materials is drawn into each sleeve or cylinder 40 for ejection into a can.

The rollers 83 and H6 (Figs. '7 and 8) on leaving, respectively, the movable cam track sections 92 and l H] ride over the tail pieces 95 and. I20 onto the parts 842) and N5?) of the cam tracks, these parts 841) and 1 Rib leading to a peak in the lower descending quarter of the can Wheel 28. Since the cans, as previously described, have been fed to traverse this descending side of the can wheel 28, the outward movement of the plungers 53 and pistons :25 in traversing the sections 841) and II l5b, respectively, of the cam track forces the liquid and solid contents of the sleeves or cylinders 49 into the cans. When the rollers reach the peaks of these cams the plungers and pistons are fully projected, this condition being maintained during the continued movement of the rollers over the sections 84a and H511 to the point at which each sleeve or cylinder 40 comes into register with the reservoir 69 and the sequence of operations above described is repeated.

It is sometimes desirable to tamp the contents in the filled cans in order to compact the fill. To this end the disk 220 is mounted on the adjusting shaft 22! (Fig. '7) and is arranged to have a salient portion 224 project through the section 84a of the cam track when adjusted to the dotted lineposition shown in Fig. '7. When each roller 83 travels over this salient projection of the disk 220 it is moved radially outward from the axis of the can filling wheel 28 thereby to carry its shoe M (Fig. 5) arm 80, piston rod 50 and piston 45 radially outward. This projects this piston 45 beyond its sleeve or cylinder 40 and into the can so as to tamp or compact the contents in the filled can. When the disk 220 is turned to the full line position shown in Fig. 7 the rollers 83 merely ride over its receding portion 223 as a continuation of the part 84a of the cam track and hence no tamping is effected.

If for any reason the can wheel I55 fails to pick up a can 35 in any of its pockets I56, the lever 2510 (Fig, 3) swings into the empty space and the switch 202 closes. This energizes the solenoid 205 (Fig. 8) and moves its armature to swing the lever 208 and switch section 2 I of the cam track into engagement with the part of the cam track H between the sections H511 and H50 thereof. The roller N6 of that sleeve or cylinder 40 coming into register with the liquid reservoir Bil is therefore caused to ride along the switch section 210 of the cam track onto the secondary concentric track 2I3 composed of the sections 215 and 2M and the tail piece 2l6. It will be noted that the assumed empty space is fifth from the transfer station (Fi 3) and that the roller H6 so switched to the secondary track U3 is associated with that sleeve or cylinder 40 which is likewise fifth fromthe transfer station so that the sleeve or cylinder Ml which will come into line with the empty space is that one which is affected by this operation.

The roller I I6 (Fig. 8) so switched by the switch 2|!) to the secondary cam track 2l3 cannot, of course, move inwardly as would be the case if it were left to follow the primary track I I5 and the movable sections associated therewith. In consequence the shoe Hi9 (Fig. 5) and plunger 53 associated with this roller cannot move inwardly toward. the axis of the can filling Wheel nor can the corresponding piston 35 move inwardly inasmuch as the plunger 53 is at this time against the end head 48 of the piston 45. Therefore a charge of neither liquid nor solids is drawn into the sleeve 40 nor are the plunger and piston moved to expell a charge into the canless space on the can filling wheel.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides a reliable and high speed can filler which accurately fills each can with separately measured charges of liquid and solids and which will tamp the charge in each can to insure compactness. The filler is also compact and comparatively simple in construction and will stand up under conditions of severe and constant use without getting out of order or requiring repairs.

I claim as my invention:

1, A can filling machine, comprising a can filling wheel rotating about a horizontal axis and having a plurality of cylinders opening at its rim, means forming a chamber enclosing a rising part of said rim and traversed thereby and adapted to contain material to be packed into the cans, means at the top of said wheel and placing cans in engagement with its rim with their open ends over said cylinders, means holding said cans in said engagement with said rim for a part of the descending side thereof, and means reciprocating each of said pistons inwardly on traversing said chamber and outwardly on traversing said part of the descending side thereby to transfer a charge of said material from said chamber to each of said cans.

2. A can filling machine, comprising a can filling wheel rotating about a horizontal axis and having a plurality of cylinders extending radially inward from its periphery, a piston in each of said cylinders, a gasket of soft resilient plastic material surrounding the outer open end of each cylinder, means forming a chamber enclosing a rising part of said periphery and traversed thereby and adapted to contain material to be packed into said cans, means providing sealed contact between said chamber and periphery to prevent leakage of said material. from said chamber, means at the top of said wheel and placing cans on said periphery with their open ends against said gaskets, means holding said cans in engagement with said gaskets for a part of the descending side of said wheel, and means reciprocating each of said pistons inwardly on traversing said chamber and outwardly on traversing said part of the descending side of said wheel thereby to transfer a charge of said material from said chamber to each of said cans.

3. A can filling machine, comprising a can filling wheel rotating about a horizontal axis and having a plurality of openings in its periphery surrounded by an annular pocket, a cylinder fitted in each of said openings and having a rim fitted in the corresponding pocket, a piston Ln each of said cylinders,means forming a chamber enclosing a rising part of said periphery and traversed thereby and adapted to contain material to be packed into said cans, means providing sealed contact between said chamber and ,periphery to prevent leakage of said material from said chamber, means t the top of saidwhe'el and placingcans withtheir open ends against said rims,

means holding said cans in engagement with'said rims for a part of the descendinglside of' said ing side of said wheel thereby to transfer a charge ofsaid materials from said chamber to each'of' said cans.

4. A can filling machine, comprising a can filling wheel rotating about a horizontal axis and having a plurality of cylinders extending radially inward from its periphery, means forming a chamber enclosing arising part of said periphery and traversed thereby and adapted to contain solid material to be packed into said cans, a rotor in said chamber and rotating about an axis arranged generally tangential to saidwheel and having peripheral'portions arranged adjacent the periphery of saidwheel and packing the solidmaterial into the open ends of the passingcylinders, means at the top of saidwheel'and placing cans in engagement with its periphery with theiropen ends over said cylinders, means holding said cans in said engagement with said periphery for a part of the descendingside thereof and means reciprocating each of said pistonsinwardly on traversing said chamber and outwardly on-traversing said part of the descending side thereby to transfer a charge of said solid material from-said chamber to each'of said cans.

5. A can filling machine, comprising a can-filling wheel having a pluralityof' cylinders opening at its rim, a piston ineach of said cylinders and having a skirt and an end head, saidend headbeing provided with an opening, a plunger in" each of said pistons andsliding alongthe'skirt thereof, means forming a pair of chambers each enclosing a part of said rim' and adapted to be traversed thereby, one of said chambers" being adapted to contain a'liquidand the other being adapted to contain solid material means placing cans in engagement with said; rim withtheir open ends over said cylinders; means holding said' placed cans in said engagement with said rim-for a predetermined distance, means reciprocating each of said plungers inwardly on traversing said liquidchamber to draw a'charge 'of liquid intdits piston, means reciprocating each of said pistons inwardly on traversingsaid solid material cham-= her to draw a charge of solid materialintoitscylinder, and means reciprocatingeach pair-of pistons and plungers outwardlyon traversing said predetermined distance thereby to transfer charges of liquid and solid -material from said chambersto each of said cans.

6.--A can filling machine, comprising arotating can filling wheel having a plurality of cylinders opening at its rim, a piston in each of said y111n= ders means forming a chamber enclosing apart of said Tim and traversed therebyandjadapted to contain material to be packed into the cans';

with their open ends over said cylinders; means said predetermined distance thereby to transfer a charge of saidmaterials irom said chamber to eachof said cans, and means foradjusting the 1 amount of said inward movement of said while so traversing said chamber.

pistons 1 ing wheel having a plurality :ofcylinders opening" contain solid niaterial,*means placing cans in engagement withsaidrim-with their open ends over saidcylinders, means holding saidplac'ed cans in'saidengagement with said rim for a predetermined distance, means reciprocating each of said plungers inwardly .on'traversing said liquid ch'amberto draw a charge of liquid into its piston, means reciprocating each'of said pistons inwardly on traversing saidsolid material chamber to draw a charge "of solid material into its cylinder, means reciprocating each pair of pistons and plungers outwardly on traversing said predetermined distance thereby -to transfer charges of liquid and solid material from said chambers to each of said cans, and-means for separately adjusti'ng the amount of said inward movement of said pistons andplu'ngers while sotraversing their respective chambers} 81 A can filling machine, comprising a can filling wheel rotating about a horizontal axis and having a plurality of cylinders extendingradia'lly inwardfrom its-periphery, a piston in each oi said cylinders, a piston rod extending inwardly from each of said pistons, means forming a chamber' enclosing a rising part of saidperiphery and traversed therebyand'adapted to contain material to be packed into said cans, means adjacent the-top of said'wheel andplacing cans in engagement with its periphery with their open ends over said cylinders, means holding said cans in en- 'gagement with said peripheryfor apart of the descendingside thereof 5 and means reciprocating each of said "pistons inwardly on traversing said chamber and outwardly on traversingsaid part of the descending side thereby to transfer a charge of said material from said chamber to each of saidcans, comprising a cam track fixed to a stationary part of the machine and encircling theaxisof said can filling wheeLsaid cam track having radially salient and receding :portions, means operatively connecting said stems to follow said cam track and means for varying'the effective radial position of said receding portion thereby to vary the amount of said material drawn-into each cylinder.

9.A' can filling machine, comprising acan filling wheel rotating about a horizontal axis and havin a plurality of cylinders extending radially inward from its periphery; apiston in each of said cylinders; a piston rod extending-inwardly traversed thereby and adapted to contain ma- 7. A can filling machine, 'comprisingacan' fillterialto bepacked into said cans,means adjacent thetop of'said'wheel'and placing cans in engagement with -its' periphery with their open ends over said cylinders, means holding said cans in engagernent' with said periphery for a part of the descending side-thereof, and; means reciprocating each of saidpiston's inwardly on traversing said chamberandoutwardly on traversing said part of the descending side thereby to transfer a charge of said material from said chamber to each of said I'cans, comprisin awali secured to the :rim'"of said can filling wheel and extending inwardly toward the axis of rotation thereof and provided with radial slots corresponding in number and position to said cylinders, a shoe fixed to each of said stems and sliding in a corresponding one of said slots, a roller fixed to each of said shoes, a cam track fixed to a stationary part of the machine and engaged by said rollers and encircling the axis ofsaid can filling wheel, said cam track having radially salient and recedin portions, said receding portion being placedto engage the rollers of those pistons traversing said chamber, and means for varying the effective radial position of said receding portion thereby to vary the amount of said material drawn into each cylinder.

10. A can filling machine, comprising a can filling wheel rotating about a horizontal axis and having a plurality of cylinders extending radially inward from its periphery, a piston in each of said cylinders, a piston rod extending inwardly from each of said pistons, means forming a chamber enclosing a rising part of said periphery and traversed thereby and adapted to contain material to be packed into said cans, means adjacent the top of said wheel and placing cans in engagement with its peripherywith their open ends over said cylinders, means holding said cans in engagement with said periphery for a part of the descending side thereof, and means reciprocating each of said pistons inwardly on traversing said chamber and outwardly on traversing said part of the descending side thereby to transfer a charge of said material from said chamber to each of said cans, comprising a roller fixed to each of said piston rods, a cam track fixed to a stationary part of the machine and engaged by said rollers and encircling the axis of said can filling wheel, said cam track having radially salient and receding'portions, said receding portion being placed to engage the rollers of those pistons traversing said chamber, means for vary ing the eliective radial position of said receding portion thereby to vary the amount of said material drawn into each cylinder comprising an adjusting shaft journaledin said stationary part, a movable track section secured to said adjusting shaft and forming a continuation of a fixed part of said cam track and rotatable with said adjusting'shaft toward and from the axis of rotation of said can filling wheel'and a tail piece connecting the free end of said movable track section with said fixed part of said cam track.

11. A can filling machine, comprising a can.

filling Wheel having a plurality of cylinders opening at its rim, a piston in each of said cylinders and havin a skirt and an end head, said end head being provided with an opening, a plunger in each of said pistons and sliding along the skirt thereof, means forming a pair of chambers each enclosing a part of said rim and adapted to be traversed thereby, one of said chambers being adapted to contain a liquid and the other being adapted to contain solid material, means placing cans in engagement with said rim with their open ends over said cylinders, means holding said placed cans in said engagement with said rim for a predetermined distance, means reciprocating each of said plungers inwardly on traversing said liquid chamber to draw a charge of liquid into its piston, means reciprocating each of said pistons inwardly on traversing said solid material chamber to draw a charge of solid material into its cylinder, means reciprocating each of said pistons and its plunger outwardly on traversing said predetermined distance thereby to transfer charges of liquid and solid material from said chambers to each of saidcans, comprising a cam track fixed to a stationary part of the machine and encircling the axis of said can filling wheel, said cam track having radially salient and receding ETPOI'tiOns, means operatively connectin said pistons to follow said cam track, a second cam track fixed to a stationary part of the machine and encircling the axis of said can filling wheel, said second cam track also having radially salient and lofireceding portions, and means operatively connecting said plungers to follow said second cam track,

12. A can filling machine, comprising a can filling wheel having a plurality of cylinders openring at its rim, a piston in each of said cylinders and having a skirt and an end head, said end head being provided with an opening, a plunger in each of said pistons and sliding along the skirt thereof, means forming a pair of chambers each enclosing a part of said rim and adapted to be traversed thereby, one of said chambers being adapted to contain a liquid and the other being adapted to contain solid material, means placing cans in engagement with said rim with their open :ends over said cylinders, means holding said placed cans in said engagement with said rim for a predetermined distance, means reciprocating each of said plungers inwardly on traversing said liquid chamber to draw a charge of liquid into --its piston, means reciprocating each of said pistons inwardly on traversing said solid material chamber to draw a charge of solid material into its cylinder, means reciprocating each of said pistons and its plunger outwardly on traversing said predetermined distance thereby to transfer charges of liquid and solid material from said. chambers to each of said cans, comprising two walls secured to the rim of said can filling wheel. and extending inwardly toward the axis of rota-- tion thereof and each provided with radial slots. corresponding in number and position to said cylinders, a shoe connected with each of said pistons and sliding in a corresponding one of said slots of one of said walls, a roller fixed to each 5 of said shoes, a cam track engaged by said rollers and encircling the axis of rotation of said can filling wheel and fixed to a stationary part of the machine, said cam track having radially salient and receding portions, a shoe connected with each of said plungers and sliding in a corresponding one of said slots of the other of said wall-s, a roller fixed to each of said last shoes, a second cam track engaged by said last rollers and encircling the axis of rotation of said can filling wheel and fixed to a stationary part of the machine, said second cam track having radially salient and receding portions, said receding portion of both cam tracks being placed to engage the rollers of the cylinder traversing the corresponding chamber, and means for varying the efiective radial position of said receding portion of each of said cam tracks thereby to vary the amount of liquid and solid material drawn into each cylinder.

13. A can filling machine, comprising a rotating can filling wheel having a plurality of cylinders opening at its rim, a piston in each of said cylinders, means forming a chamber enclosing a part of said rim and traversed thereby and adapted to contain material to be packed into the cans,

means placing cans in engagement with said rim with their open ends over said cylinders, means holdin said placed cans in said engagement with said rim for a predetermined distance, means reciprocating each of said pistons inwardly on travasset 21": ersingl said chamber and outwardly on traversing said predetermined distance thereby to transfer a charge of said materials from said chamber to each of said cans, and means for reciprocating each of said pistons outwardly beyond its cylinder and into the corresponding can on traversing said predetermined distance thereby to enter the corresponding can and compact the contents therein.

14. A can filling machine, comprising a can filling wheel rotating about a horizontal axis and having a plurality of cylinders extending radially inward from its periphery, a piston in each of said cylinders, a piston rod extending inwardly from each of said pistons, means forming a chamber enclosing a rising part of said periphery and traversed thereby and adapted to contain material to be packed into said cans, means adjacent the top of said wheel and placing cans in engage ment with its periphery with their open ends over said cylinders, means holding said cans in engagementwith said periphery for a part .of the descending side thereof, means reciprocating each of said pistons inwardly on traversing said chamber, and outwardly on traversing said part of the descending side thereby to transfer a charge of said material from said chamber to each of said cans, comprising a cam track fixed to a stationary part of the machine and encircling the aXis of said can filling wheel, said cam track having radially salient and receding portions, and means operatively connecting said stems to follow said cam track, and means for compacting the contents-of each can-comprising an additional salient provided on the salient portion of said. cam track and reciprocating each of said pistons outwardly beyondits cylinder and into the corresponding can on traversing said part of the descending side of said can wheel.

15. A can filling machine, comprising a :can filling wheel rotating about a horizontal axis and having a plurality of cylinders extending radially inward from its periphery, a, piston in eachof said cylinders, a piston rod extending inwardly from each of said pistons, means forming a chamber enclosing a rising part of said'periphery and traversed thereby and adapted to contain material to be packed into said cans, means adjacent thetop of said wheel and placing cans in engagement with its periphery vwith their open ends over said cylinders, means holding said cans in engagement with said periphery for a part of the descending side thereof, means reciprocating each 1 of said pistons inwardly on traversing said chamberand outwardly on traversing said part of the descending side thereby to transfer a charge of said material from said chamber to each of said cans, comprising a cam track fixedto a stationary part of the machine and encircling the axis of said can filling wheel, said cam track havingradially salient and receding portions, and means operatiyely connecting said stems to followsaid cam track, and means for compacting the contents, of each can, comprising a dishrotatably mounted in the said salient portion of saidcam track,,and in one position forming a continuation of said-cam track andin another position projecting a salient portion beyond said cam, track, said last salient portion reciprocating each of said pistons outwardly beyond its cylinder and into the,

corresponding can. 7

16. ,A can filling machine, comprising a rotating can .filling wheel having a plurality of cylinders opening at its rim, a piston in each of. said cyline I ders,.means forming a chamber enclosing a part of ,saidjrim andtraversed thereby and, adapted to v contain materialize bepacked into the cans, means feeding a succession of cans, and placing them individually in engagement with said rim with their open ends over said cylinders, means holding said placed cans in said engagement with said rim for a predetermined distance, means for reciprocating each of said pistons inwardly on traversing said chamber and outwardly on traversing said predetermined distance thereby to transfer a charge of said material from said chamber to each of said cans, means for rendering said reciprocating means for any oneof said pistons inoperative, a member urged to move into the path of said succession of cans and so moving when a can in said successionis missing, and means operatively connecting, said member with said means for rendering anyone of said pistons inoperative, said member being, so located along said succession of cansas to render inoperative that piston associated with the space of the missing can.

17. A can filling machine, comprising a can filling wheelrotating about a horizontal axis and having a plurality of cylinders extending radially inward from its periphery, a piston in each of said cylinders, means forming a chamber enclosing a rising part of said periphery and traversed thereby and adapted to contain material to be packed into said cans, means adjacent the top of said wheel and feeding a succession of cans and placing them individually in engagement with its periphery with their open ends oversaid cylinders, means holding said cans in engagement with said periphery for a part of the descending side thereof, means reciprocating each of said pistons inwardlyion traversing said chamber and outwardly on traversing said part of the descending sidethereby to transfer a charge of said material from said chamber to each of said cans, comprising a primary cam track fixed to a stationary part of the machine and encircling the axis of said can filling wheel, said cam track hav ing radially salient and recedingportions and means including rollers engaging said cam track and each operatively connected to a corresponding piston to compel said pistons to follow said cam track, and means for rendering said reciprocating means for any one of said pistons inoperative, comprising a secondary cam track fixed to a stationary part of the machine and encircling the receding portion of said primary cam track, a switch movable to connect said secondary cam track with said salientportion of said primary cam track to receive said rollers therefrom, means for returning said received rollers to said salient portion of said primary cam track, a member urged to move into the path of said succession of cans and so moving when a can in said succession is missing, and means operatively connecting said member to close said switch and thereby render any one of said pistons inoperative, said member being so located along said succession of cans as to render inoperative that piston associated .with the space of the missing can.

18. A can filling machine, comprising a can filling wheelrotating about a horizontalaxis and having a pluralityof cylinders extending radially inward from its periphery, means forming a chamber enclosing a rising part of said periphery and traversed thereby and adapted to contain material to be packed into said cans, means, at the topof saidwheel and placing cans inengagement-with. said periphery with their open ends v -e d-t r inder ma en al emi-c r ular,

stationary rail concentric with said can filling wheel and spaced radially from the periphery thereof and engaging the ends of said cans to hold them in engagement with said periphery along the descending side of said wheel, and means for reciprocating each of said pistons inwardly on traversing said chamber and outwardly on traversing said descending side of said can filling wheel thereby to transfer a charge of said material from said chamber to each of said cans. 19. A can filling machine, comprising a can filling wheel rotating about a horizontal axis and having a plurality of cylinders extending radially inward from its periphery, means forming a chamber enclosing a rising part of said periphery and traversed thereby and adapted to contain material to be packed into said cans, means at the top of said wheel and placing cans in engagement with said periphery with their open ends over said cylinders, a generally semi-circular stationary rail concentric with said can filling wheel and spaced radially from the periphery thereof and engaging the ends of said cans, to hold them in engagement with said periphery along the descending side of said wheel, a second generally semi-circular stationary rail concentric with said can filling wheel and arranged to engage the corresponding sides of said cans along the descending side of said wheel, and means for reciprocating each of said pistons inwardly on traversing said chamber and outwardly on traversing said descending side of said can filling wheel thereby to transfer a charge of said material from said chamber to each of said cans.

20. A can filling machine, comprising a can filling wheel rotating about a horizontal axis and having a plurality of cylinders extending radially inward from its periphery, means forming a chamber enclosing a rising part of said periphery and traversed thereby and adapted to contain material to be packed into said cans, means at the'top of said Wheel and placing cans in engagement with said periphery with their open ends over said cylinders, a generally semi-circular stationary rail concentric with said can filling wheel and arranged on one side of said wheel to engage the corresponding sides of said cans along the descending side of said wheel, a holder mounted on said can filling wheel adjacent each cylinder and movable toward and from the adjacent side of the corresponding can to hold it in engagement with said semi-circular rail, means for moving said holders toward said cans at the top of said can filling wheel and holding them against said semi-circular rail on the descending side of said can filling wheel, means for retracting said holders from said cans at the bottom of said can filling wheel and holding them retracted while traversing the ascending side of the can filling Wheel, a second generally semi-circular stationary rail concentric with said can filling wheel and spaced radially from the periphery thereof and engaging the ends of said cans to hold them in engagement with said periphery along the descending side of said can wheel, and means for discharging the contents of each of said cylinders outwardly on traversing said descending side of said can filling wheel thereby to transfer a charge of said materials from said chamber to each of said cans.

21. A can filling machine, comprising a can filling wheel rotating about a horizontal axis and having a plurality of cylinders extending radially inward from its periphery, a piston in each of said cylinders, a piston rod extending inwardly from each of said pistons, means forming a chamber enclosing a rising part of said periphery and traversed thereby and adapted to contain material to be packed into said cans, means adjacent the top of said wheel and placing cans in engagement with its periphery with their open ends over said cylinders, means holding said cans in engagement with said periphery for a part of the descending side thereof, and means reciprocating each of said pistons inwardly on traversing said chamber and outwardly on traversing said part of the descending side thereby to transfer a charge of said material from said chamber to each of said cans, comprising a wall secured to the rim of said can filling wheel and extending inwardly toward the axis of rotation thereof and provided with radial slots corresponding in number and position to said cylinders, a shoe fixed to each of said stems and sliding in a corresponding one of said slots, a roller fixed to each of said shoes, a cam track fixed to a stationary part of the machine and engaged by said rollers and encircling the axis of said can filling wheel, said cam track having radially salient and receding portions, and a plurality of V-shaped wear plates secured to one face of said wall for movement toward and from the axis thereof, the sides of said Wear plates engaging the sides of said shoes along said slots.

22. A can filling machine, comprising a can filling wheel rotating about a horizontal axis and having a plurality of cylinders extending radially inward from its periphery, a piston in each of said cylinders, means forming a chamber enclosing a rising part of said peripheryand traversed thereby and adapted to contain material to be packed into said cans, a can wheel rotating about a vertical axis and having a plurality of spaced can receiving pockets in its periphery, said periphery of said can wheel extending over the top of said can filling wheel, means for feeding cans bottom side up successively to the pockets of said can wheel, means synchronizing the rotation of said can wheel with said can filling wheel to deliver said cans to said can filling wheel with their open ends over said cylinders, means holding said cans in engagement with the periphery of said can filling wheel while traversing the descending side thereof, and means reciprocating each of said pistons inwardly on traversing said chamber and outwardly on traversing said descending side of the can filling wheel thereby to transfer a charge of said material from said chamber to each of said cans.

23. A can filling machine, comprising a can filling wheel rotating about a horizontal axis and having a plurality of cylinders extending radially inward from its periphery, a piston in each of said cylinders, means forming a chamber enclosing a rising part of said periphery and traversed thereby and adapted to contain material to be packed into said cans, a horizontal stationary surface leading to the top of said can filling'wheel, a can wheel rotating above said surface about a vertical axis and having a plurality of can receiving pockets in its periphery, means for feeding cans bottom side up successively to the pockets of said can wheel, means synchronizing the rotation of said can wheel with said can filling wheel to deliver said cans to said can filling wheel with their open ends over said cylinders, means holding said cans in said engagement with the periphery of said can fillingwheel while traversing the descending side thereof, and means reciprocating each of said pistons inwardly on traversing said chamber and outwardly on traversing said descending side of the can filling wheel thereby to transfer a charge of said material from said chamber to each of said cans.

24. A can filling machine, comprising a can filling Wheel rotating about a horizontal axis and having a plurality of cylinders extending radially inward from its periphery, a piston in each of said cylinders, means forming a chamber enclosing a rising part of said periphery and traversed thereby and adapted to contain material to be packed into said cans, a can wheel rotating about a vertical axis and having a plurality of spaced can receiving pockets in its periphery, said periphery of said can wheel extending over the top of said can filling wheel, means for feeding cans bottom side up successively to the pockets of said can wheel, a semi-circular rail concentric with and spaced from the periphery of said can wheel and forming a can way leading from said feeding means to the top of said can filling wheel, means synchronizing the rotation of said can wheel with said can filling wheel to deliver said cans to said can-- filling wheel with their open ends over said cylinders, means holding said cans in engagement with the periphery of said can filling wheel while traversing the descending side thereof, and means reciprocating each of said pistons inwardly on traversing said chamber and outwardly on traversing said descending side of the can filling wheel thereby to transfer a charge of said material from said chamber to each of said cans.

25. A can filling machine, comprising a can filling wheel rotating about a horizontal axis and having a plurality of cylinders extending radially inward from its periphery, a piston in each of said cylinders, means forming a chamber enclosing a rising part of said periphery and traversed thereby and adapted to contain material to be packed into said cans, a can wheel rotating about a vertical axis and having a plurality of spaced can receiving pockets in its periphery, said periphery of said can wheel extending over the top of said can filling wheel, means for feeding a straight line of cans bottom side up radially toward the axis of said can wheel to be successively picked up by the pocket thereof, means synchronizing the rotation of said can wheel with said can filling wheel to deliver said cans to said can filling wheel with their open ends over said cylinders, means holding said cans in engagement with the periphery of said can filling wheel while traversing the descending side thereof, and means reciprocating each of said pistons inwardly on traversing said chamber and outwardly on traversing said descending side of the can filling Wheel thereby to transfer a charge of said material from said chamber to each of said cans.

26. A can filling machine, comprising a can filling wheel rotating about a horizontal axis and having a plurality of cylinders extending radially inward from its periphery, means forming a chamber enclosing a rising part of said periphery and traversed thereby and adapted to contain material to be packed into said cans, a can wheel rotating about a vertical axis and having a plurality of spaced can receiving pockets in its periphery, said periphery of said can wheel extending over the top of said can filling wheel, means for feeding a straight line of cans bottom side up radially toward the axis of said can wheel to be picked up by the pockets thereof, a spring loaded roller urged toward the periphery of said can wheel immediately beyond said straight line of cans and urging each can into the bottom of its pocket, means synchronizing the rotation of said can wheel with said can filling wheel to deliver said cans to said can filling wheel with their open ends over said cylinders, means holding said cans in engagement with the periphery of said can filling wheel While traversing the descending side thereof, and means for discharging the contents of each of said cylinders outwardly on traversing said descending side of the can filling wheel thereby to transfer a charge of said material from said chamber to each of said cans, said can feeding means comprising a horizontal stationary member engaging one side of said straight line of cans and an endless conveyer engaging the opposite side of the straight line of cans and pressing said straight line of cans against said stationary member to true up out-of-round cans.

WILLIAM DE BACK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,097,887 Lacey Nov, 2, 1937 1,218,315 Redd Mar. 6, 1917 

